WRITER IS A WRITER before, as well as after, publication. Any number of how-to books combined may not give a writer the one priceless bit of clarity that can make the difference between being published or not. Rejection by an editor or agent seldom yields the reason as to why a manuscript doesn't grab them, and almost never reveals how it can be fixed to ensure it will.

Founded and run by professional writers the SCWC provides veteran and emerging talent with authoritative critique to help distinguish those manuscripts that are ready for market consideration, facilitating nearly $4 million worth of first-time authors' book and screen deals. With extended one-on-one evaluation of advance submissions and dozens of read & critique and Q&A workshops uniquely defying the "us versus them," academia-style cattle drives found at similar events, the SCWC is among the only writing conferences in the country specifically tailored to provide comprehensive feedback on your work.

Along with the read & critiques run during each session, many interactive problem-solving and assignment-oriented workshops are also available. And since the surroundings of the conference afford it – and since we most certainly encourage it – plenty of other opportunities await those attending to sidle up next to editors, agents, executives, and other writers joining us to discuss things on a more intimate level.

So whether you're a writer just starting out, a writer unable to determine why your work's not working, a writer simply in search of some answers, a writer wanting feedback on what you've written, or just a writer who wants to hang with other writers, do yourself a favor and join us for the 24th Annual Southern California Writers' Conference (and Retreat) in San Diego.

Your words are worth it!

Latest News as of 5/20/09
>> Print SD24 Brochure  I  Print SD24 Flyer
>> View Proper Manuscript Format Sample  I  MSG on Writing a Synopsis
>> JJ on "Pitch" Conferences  I  MSG on Choosing the "Write" Conference
>> Book your Crowne Plaza Hotel room online here (use code SCW)

[ Note: Agents wanting to participate contact Michael Steven Gregory only if you're accepting clients. There are plenty of other conferences that provide reps who have no sincere intent of acquiring new clients with free weekends at nice hotels in desireable locales. The SCWC is not one of them. ]

PLANS UNDERWAY FOR SD24: We're a long way off from our 24th annual event in San Diego, but rest assured that, as always, our extra-long, holiday weekend event will feature both familiar and new friends alike. If you haven't done so already, be sure to join the mailing list. Dates are Presidents' Day Weekend, Feb. 12-15, 2010. Updates and Early "Bard" Discount registration begin in July.

POST-CONFERENCE KUDOS (2/22/09): To all who participated in making SD23 one of the best SCWCs ever, a resounding THANK YOU! From the quality conferees to the superior staff of authors, agents & editors, it seems everybody reveled in doing what we do best: discovering and nurturing fresh, new literary voices. With several of the conferees' manuscripts requested by reps of the various houses and agencies attending, we can confirm that at least two conferees landed an agent over the weekend, and another two are likely to have landed a publisher. More will likely follow, but given the feedback we've gotten thus far, it's safe to say that SD23 may set a record for how many books ultimately get published out of one conference. Speaking of which, the publication of yet another book discovered at last year's SD22 was just announced. Teressa Burrell's debut novel, The Advocate, will be out Fall of 2010 from Echelon Press. Congrats, Tee! . . . Now on to the SD23 Awards...

SCWC*SD 23 Award Recipients:

• OUTSTANDING FICTION >> Reina Lisa Menasche

  from Spring Valley, CA for Every Holiday on Ice

• OUTSTANDING FICTION >> Reina Lisa Menasche

  from Spring Valley, CA for Silent Bird

• OUTSTANDING FICTION >> Juliette Engel

  from Moscow, Russia for Moscow Traffic

• OUTSTANDING TOPIC >> Gayle Carline

  from Placentia, CA for Home to Roost (read here)

• OUTSTANDING POETRY >> Paul R. De Lancey

  from Poway, CA for Regret (read here)

It should be noted that Gayle Carline has now received three Topic Awards and an Honorable Mention for her SCWC efforts, putting her tied with Tim Shortridge for most times won. Will she break the record? Can she find literary bliss? Will she write a super-short story and post it on her Twatter? Find out at our next SCWC event, LA7 (in Irvine)! In the meantime, don't forget to befriend the SCWC on Facebook and visit the SCWC Blog for additional updates and publishing news.

Watch Marla Miller dissect a query letter.

WRITE NOW YOU (2/4/09): Author/editor and longtime SCWC workshop leader Marla Miller is joining us with her query letter troubleshooting workshop, "Pitch it to Me: Let's Fix Your Book Pitch." To give you a taste, check her out in this little video shot at last year's SCWC*LA event. Speaking of query letters, it's come to our attention that past conferee Althea Clark wrote an exceptional one. She mailed it to six agents in one day and all six requested her material. You can read Althea's query letter here. And if you haven't already, don't forget bestselling debut novelist Andrea Portes' query letter here . . . For SCWC newbies and fans alike, San Diego CityBeat columnist Ed Decker provides his inevitably sardonic, yet earnest, take on life in this recent piece he did for WORDsd called "Boozing and Schmoozing: Why I Love the SCWC." Read it here . . . Finally, now more than perhaps ever before it's time to write!

SCWC*SAN DIEGO 23 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

SCWC*SD 24 LOCATION: The conference will be held again at the Crowne Plaza San Diego resort, located mere moments away from Lindbergh Field International Airport, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, historic Old Town, downtown and its famous Gaslamp District, and beaches, beaches, beaches galore! Dates are Presidents' Day Weekend, Feb. 12-15, 2010. Lodging discounts are available to SCWC conferees. Phone 800-972-2802 to book your reservation, or click here (when available) (use code SCW). We often sell out the hotel, so make your reservation sooner than later.

SCWC*SD 24 SCHEDULE: As always, you can rest assured that plenty of workshops, read & critique, one-on-ones and more will fill the schedule in 2009. We're even changing a few things around to bolster your conference experience. Check it out here.

SCWC*SD 24 STAFF: In addition to the many familiar Workshop Leaders returning in 2010, as usual we'll have several new folks rolled into the fold. Check 'em out here when they're announced.

GUEST SPEAKERS: Check here to learn about who all's aboard for SCWC*SD 24, when they're announced.

HERE'S WHERE you can check everything out:

• Workshop Leaders, Readers & Panelists - SCWC*SD 24
• Conference Schedule - SCWC*SD 24
• Registration - SCWC*SD 24
• Frequently Asked Questions - SCWC*SD 24

THAT'S ALL for now.  Do check the website for updates and be sure to remit your postal address to receive our free brochure. For more information, address your question to someone specific on the contact page, or phone (619) 303-8185.